noodles1977
Baton Rouge
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Joined: 04/20/2008
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Thanks for all the help guys. We plan on traveling with 2 to 3 couples, so I would say we need to be able to sleep 6 adults.I think we are leaning toward the Tioga 31M with the Ford motor. We are also looking at the Winnie 31J; I really like that floor plan, I am just not sure I need that many beds though. My wife is big on not being to crammed in while she sleeps so we do need a slide for the back room, and she really likes the residential style bathroom of the 31M by Tioga. (BIG SHOCK!)LOL.
I noticed that the Winnie Access has wood walls but a fiberglass roof. I like the roof, but I am not to crazy about the walls.
The Tioga has a rubber style roof??? And metal reinforced walls, this makes more sense than wood walls. We all know what happens when plywood that is not treated gets wet. I guess what I am saying is that there are good and bad things to each of the two models that I am looking at. I just dont know which would be more of a problem.
Thanks for your help.
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ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
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Joined: 02/26/2007
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3 couples?
That sounds more like a psychology experiment rather than the annual "Couples Vacation". Have you tried this before in a mega-sized rented motorhome? I don't know of any motorhome that can adequately accommodate 3 couples. 2 couples could get away with that. The 3rd couple....well they'll won't have any privacy.
Consider renting one first to see how it works out. If it's a train wreck of a vacation, then you don't have to sell it at the end of the trip. Just turn it back into the rental company.
If your normal vacationing plans is just yourselves, with the potential for a 2nd and/or a 3rd couple once in a blue moon, I wouldn't buy such a huge RV for "Potential". I would buy it for the majority of the time. If you get the right RV with enough CCC, your guests could buy or rent a small travel trailer for you to tow. That allows for traveling together, yet having two baths and separate sleeping quarters.
Bought new in June 2007, Phoenix Cruiser-2350
Fits inside our garage.
Dingy towing a red Toyota MR2 Spyder
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Camper Ken
Oregon
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Joined: 06/02/2007
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noodles1977:
What do you mean when you say Winnebago has wood walls ???????
Winnebago uses virtually the same manufacturing process as Fleetwood, with a fiberglass composite structure for the walls, with aluminum framing.
I'm curious where you got your information. (A Fleetwood salesperson?)
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
(2006 Ford E450 chassis)
2007 Winnebago Access 31c
2006 Ford E450 chassis
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noodles1977
Baton Rouge
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I got this staight from the winnebago website; "Our Thermo-Panel sidewall and roof design pressure bonds the exterior skin, lauan backing and EPS block foam to the walls’ aluminum framework, while our unique interlocking sidewall and roof joint design ensures that the weight is carried by the metal substructure, not by a few attaching screws (like some competitors’ models). The overall result is a stronger, more durable motor home.
It has a lauan backing, where as the Fleetwood has the vacu-bond sidewalls, which is framed in aluminum or sheet metal. After reading this on the website I asked the salesman and he said that it does have the lauan backing. I just want to know how reliable this backing is?
I would occasionally bring 3 couples, but we all get along well and we understand that camping does not offer the same as the comforts of home. Most of the time it would be me, my wife, and our little girl.
Thanks for your input.
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Deb and Ed M
SW MI, USA
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Joined: 06/07/2004
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We're another family with an entry level "C". And many folks on this forum have not said great things about Gulf Stream....
But: we have a great dealer who has treated us like we bought a Prevost...LOL!! Aside from having a rattling dinette window replaced under warranty - we've had no problems with our MH and love it beyond words!!
I think the key to RVing happiness is "find a dealer you feel comfortable with". Then, find the model that works best for you. Then, enjoy!
Deb
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SANDFANATIC
LAKESIDE, CA
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Joined: 05/23/2005
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All the 31' Class C's start from the same general spot (E-350 or E-450). The only differnce is when it comes to the house part. That's where you need to look and see what is ok for you and not. Most appliances are the same too so, watch the construction of the MH more than anything. Find what you like and the layout you like and go for it. You'll see some are cheaply made and some put pride into them.
As for towing toys....I reinforced my rear over hang on mine. It only cost about $700 to have done but, now it's strong enough to tow 10,000 lbs with out a weight distribution bar. I'll never tow that since it'll put me way over my GCVW Rating but, it's nice to know it's not going to break when I pull offroad with my toys.
2001 Itasca Sundancer 31C
Towing a.......
22' enclosed trailer
2001 Banshee
2006 Polaris Preditor 50
2003 Chenowth Explorer TA
Or a......
03 Jeep Wrangler
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Dennyf
Oneida New York 13421
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Joined: 12/13/2003
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We were in your position in 2003 and really did not know what brand of class c we wanted. We finally decided on the Jayco Escapade 31A. It turned out to be our best decision ever. Through the years we have had it, some small things have had to be taken care of and they were by the dealer, with no complaints from me Jayco was always wonderful as was the dealer. Now to make my point, we had a spuradic leak that we could never find comming in the rear bedroom window. Jayco replaced the window after warrentee at no cost to me, but the leak continued.Finally in the last few months we descovered the leak was comming from the roof to sidewall factory seal and was leaking most likely since the begining. Thinking i was 3 years past warrentee, i would have to absorb the repair cost which would be considerable. On a whim i wrote Jayco a letter and took pictures and explaned what i thought was and is still going on with the motorhome.I sent them by e mail. They replyed and told me to take it to my dealer for inspection. The dealer looked for a bad caulk joint or rip or any damage to the roof and found none. Jayco then instructed them to open up the roof to sidewall area and report to them. I received a call from Jayco service department informing me that the dealer will seal up the leaking area for the summer so i can use the motorhome and then in the fall it will be taken to there factory for a complete roof and possible sidewall replacement. How many companies would stand by there product like that. So i say to you consider Jayco when you buy your first motorhome Denny
ADIRONDACK CAMPER
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ron.dittmer
Near Chicago
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Dennyf wrote:.....I received a call from Jayco service department informing me that the dealer will seal up the leaking area for the summer so i can use the motorhome and then in the fall it will be taken to there factory for a complete roof and possible sidewall replacement...... Very Impressive!
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noodles1977
Baton Rouge
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That is very nice of them.
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Dakzuki
Carnation, Wa, USA
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Joined: 11/01/2002
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I have not heard whether you have any RV experience before. I would suggest renting one before making the big purchase. You will know whether an RV is for you and you can zero in on what type of RV is the right fit.
95 Chinook Premier
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